Sickness Chapter 5

I woke up and I was in Darry's bed covered up in my blue blanket and one of mom's old quilts. I didn't know what time it was but it was dark outside. I laid there thinking about where my brothers were.

I suddenly felt my stomach twist in the most horrible way and I jumped out of bed like it was on fire. I ran full speed to the bathroom my socks sliding on the carpet. When I reached the bathroom I wrenched the door open and barely made it to the toilet before it was all coming up.

I was vaguely aware of hurried footsteps coming towards me. While I was throwing up everything I had eaten in the last 2 days which wasn't much. I heard the door slam open in a similar fashion as I had done only about 30 seconds before.

Soda was there a panicked look on his face. When he saw me he smiled sympathetically and walk over and rubbed my back. I was now shirtless. I guess someone had taken it off and his cold hand felt good on my burning back.

"Oh Baby, shhhh you're ok. Shhhh. I've got you."

I was still dry heaving and in between heaves I got out,

"Soda, make it stop. Please make it stop."

"Oh baby I wish I could."

I saw Darry appear in the door way the thermometer in his hand. He came over to me as I laid my head down on the toilet seat. Darry kneeled beside me and rubbed his thumb over my temple as his big hand caressed my face.

"Let's take you temperature Honey."

I opened my mouth just enough for him to slip the thermometer in my mouth and just stared at him and Soda. My mind was hazy and I couldn't think very well. After a few minutes or so I don't really know, Darry reached over and pulled the thermometer out. He sighed.

"103.6, Soda if we don't cool him off somehow we are going to have to take him to the hospital."

Normally I would hate the idea of going to the hospital but I felt so shity I didn't even care. Anything to make the pain stop. My stomach lurched again and I moaned turning back to the toilet where I dry heaved some more. Soda was now stroking my hair. Darry was going over to the bathtub. When I stopped dry heaving and was just panting and laying there sick as a dog, Soda stared to rub my back again. He and Darry were saying something but I was to out of it to hear them.

"Ponyboy? Pony can you hear me?"

Soda's voice broke through my haze and I turn very slowly to look at him, trying not to upset my stomach again.

"Come on Baby. Me and Darry are gonna' make you feel better. You got to help me Pony I can't get your pants off without you standing up."

Darry said that the water was ready and Soda half picked me up, half dragged me backwards so I was no longer on my knees bit now my head was on Soda's shoulder and my legs were out in front of me. Darry came over and gently pulled my pants down, then my boxers.

Normally I would have been mortified to be butt naked in front of the people I look up to most but between my drugged mind and painfully aching body I couldn't care less.

Darry carefully took me from Soda's lap and brought me to the bathtub, where he gently set me in the freezing water. I tensed up when my body hit the water but was too tired to try and fight my way out. Soda came back, I hadn't even noticed he'd left and set to cups by the edge of the tub. Darry grabbed one and they set to work gently pouring cups of water over my head and on my chest for a while.

Soon Darry sent Soda to get towels and I sat there glassy sick eyes staring at Darry. He stroked my hair,

"Almost done Baby. Then you can take some medicine and go to sleep ok?"

I nodded ready for my head to hit the pillow so I could sleep the pain away. Soda came back with two towels and Darry lifted me back out of the water where Soda was waiting to dry me off. Soon I was just damp and Darry carried me to mine and Soda's room where the bed was already made for me.

Darry laid me down and got in after me, then Soda got in on my other side. Soda reached on his night stand where the same bottle of liquid medicine was waiting. After giving me two teaspoons and waiting them just holding me and comforting me with concerned but loving stares.

The medicine started to make me sleepy and as my eyes got heavier I cuddled closer to my loving big brothers. Before I fell into a dreamless deep sleep I managed to get out,

"I love you. Don't leave me ok?"

My eyes were closed but I heard them reply,

"Hush Baby. We're not going anywhere, just go to sleep ok? If you wake up scared or sock we'll be right here."

Little did they know wasn't talking about laying me. I was talking about forever.

Darry's Pov

After Pony's eyes had finally drifted shut and his breathing even. I looked at Soda over his sleeping form.

"I'm worried Darryl, He's so out of it, you know he would have never let us see him naked if he wasn't so sick."

I thought for a minute, Soda was right he was really sick but he hated hospitals and that would cost a fortune. His birthday was soon I was going to get him some new, nice track shoes.

"Soda if we take him to the hospital in don't think we'll be able to afford that birthday present."

Soda scouted closer to our baby and caressed his head to his chest in one of the most loving gestures I've ever seen him do.

"I don't know what to do. How about we seen how he is in the morning and then make the call?"

"Yeah that sounds good. You going to sleep?"

I already knew both of us were staying here tonight.

"Yeah. I'm cashing in. You?"

I scouted closer Pony too and kissed his shoulder slinging my arm around him and Soda.

"Yeah Little buddy I'm going too. Love you."

"Love you too Darry lots."

I smiled and feel into a deep sleep next to my favorite people.

Hey everyone! Thanks for reading! A special shout out to The Writing Wizard for some great ideas and review for ideas or support for chapter 6!

Stay Gold, Alycurtis1965